My Nonprofit Reviews

Back in 2021, I lost my mother one month, my dog exactly a month later and then my partner died by suicide 6 weeks later. These three events were shattering but my partner’s death was a mind-shattering, harrowing experience as I found him myself in the early hours of a Friday morning.

How would I get through this? I felt so alone – like no one else would be able to understand or appreciate my pain. Not knowing anyone who had experienced a suicide loss, it was like I was now living in a bubble but not one where I could escape from or look through its walls. Rather, this was a black bubble; it was claustrophobically confining, silent and no light penetrated its walls – that it how I honestly experienced this event.

Eventually (6 months later) I stumbled across AOH and, though not convinced that it would really be able to offer me any help or respite, I reluctantly and apathetically posted my story. The next day others responded with much love and support and I no longer felt alone or that people did not get where I was coming from. The Bubble began to slowly crumble as its walls become thinner from the Light emanating from these total strangers. Even now I call these my Faceless Friends for that is what they have become.

Folk on the AOH Forum are extremely supportive and they are able to truly appreciate another’s loss. No one seeks to mend another’s pain but by sharing, we do begin to change from within and no doubt others may resonate with something that we ourselves share (a perception, a coping mechanism, the pouring out of our emotional pain and our sometimes mental anguish) The Blog page offers many useful, insightful and inspiring essays.

For me personally, I would have followed my partner had it not been for AOH and its (sad but true) vast community of fellow survivors. And if I had done so, then others around me would experience what I do – and I would never want others to go through this.

I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone struggling to reach out to AOH as they will find solace and a path which just may eventually lead them to an even plateau where they can find rest, healing and hopefully peace. They will not forget their loss, but they will possibly cope with it better than if they tried to navigate the Grief Journey alone.